We visited the area of La Defence, a new modern business district which reminded me very much of Canary Wharf in London. A place so new and modern, it does not fit in with the rest of the city, and hence is built somehow slightly further away. It is also here that a structure that I would call the New Arc de Triomphe is erected – an arc that is made of glass and steel. It is apparently, a straight line from the genuine Arc de Triomphe, and to make matters more interesting….also a straight line from the miniature arc (named Arc De Triomphe du Carrousel and situated next to the Lourve museum) which is even further away. There is a term for this line – the Historical Axis, which starts at the Lourve in Central Paris, and continues along the Champs-Elysees, well beyond the Arc de Triomphe before culminating at La Défense. In other words, you could draw a straight line connecting the 3 archs. There are also new shopping centres here (just like in Canary Wharf) and we spent a few hours shopping.
At night, we visited the actual Arc de Triomphe, a monument built to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution and the Napolean Wars. The names of soldiers are inscribed on the surfaces of the arc. We had to climb a VERY LONGGGG flight of steps right up to the top. According to the Lonely Planet, there are 284 steps altogether, but we didn't count. A very tiring climb but the view from to the top is well worth it. We could see the Effiel Tower, blinking/sparkling for 5 minutes at the hour, and lighted up for the 15 minutes after, and then it goes back to being dark. When the tower is dark, you can barely see it against the backdrop of the night skyline!
Steps up the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is placed right in the middle of what I would say is the largest roundabout in the world, in the area of Champs-Elysees. We could see traffic coming towards us from all directions…quite an amazing sight! It's also apparently one of the more glamorous shopping areas here too.
Following on from our first visit, Mr. T got to go to the Arc while Ms D was in Malaysia (for an emergency trip to attend a funeral).....Here are some photos during the day!!
See one straight line to La Defense!!!!
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